Compressor dehumidifiers tend to be the most common design available in the UK. They work by drawing air into the dehumidifier via a fan, and then running the air over over cold coils to condense the moisture from it, whereby the condensed water is collected in a water tank.The coils are kept cool by refrigerant which means the unit also needs a compressor built in. The only downside of compressor dehumidifiers is that they need the air to be warm for this process to work. Most will work above 5°C, but they're most efficient at an ambient temperature of around 20°C (depending on the individual model). If you need a dehumidifier capable of reducing moisture in a larger space or have more significant damp levels, then you need a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate. This Russell Hobbs model can extract 20L of moisture from the air per day, and whilst it doesn't quite offer as much functionality as the comparable 20L MeacoDry Arete One (and can't beat the Meaco on energy efficiency) it is a cheaper upfront investment.

Dehumidifier | Ventilation | Screwfix Dehumidifier | Ventilation | Screwfix

Desiccant dehumidifiers draw in the air and pass it over material that soaks up moisture like a sponge. They’re ideal for colder areas that might drop below 15C, such as a conservatory or utility room. The desiccant is regenerated by an internal heater so the process can be repeated. Despite its compact size, this dehumidifier is also heavy. And noisy. We also didn’t find it that much help with drying clothes, although it did a good job of managing general damp and reducing condensation and mould on windows and walls. This dehumidifier is designed for managing fairly low moisture levels in small rooms up to 15m² or 2200 cubic feet, so it isn't going to cope with major damp issues or be able to control humidity within an entire house like larger capacity dehumidifiers. That said, the ProBreeze 1500ml Mini dehumidifier still impressed us during testing, and as long as you don't expect too much of it, this mini dehumidifier has a lot of plus points, not least its affordability. Choosing a model with more than one speed means you can have it on low on days when you need it less. Alternatively, the latest dehumidifiers can select the right speed for you, taking the guesswork out of having it on too high or too low. 3. Laundry drying functionThe best way to work out how much it cost to run a dehumidifier on its maximum setting is to look at its wattage. Mini models can use as little as 22 watts, while high-volume dehumidifiers go up to around 500 watts. The only real downside is the premium you pay for that design-led exterior, with the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier & Air Purifier offering better value in terms of extraction and tank capacity for the price.

Challenge 10 Litre Dehumidifier Reviews - Updated October 2023

Image credit: Future PLC / James French) How can I cut the cost of running a dehumidifier? 1. Turn your thermostat down A 1960s split-level bungalow has been revived with contemporary extensions, cleaned lines, and Scandi-inspired interiors And, whilst this Russell Hobbs number is cheaper upfront, running costs are higher, with the 20L dehumidifier using 440W of energy compared to Meaco's 20L Arete One which uses 216W on average. Plus, the Arete One offers a built-in air purifier which this model does not. A dehumidifier's extraction rate is an average of how much moisture it can remove from the air during a given timeframe. Most commonly this is measured in litres per day, so an extraction rate of 10L/per day means the dehumidifier should be able to extract 10 litres of moisture within 24 hours if running continuously. In practice, this also depends on the humidity levels of the room, and the ambient temperature.So, if you’re after the smallest dehumidifier on the market, we think the Russell Hobbs RHDH1061G wins the accolade of best small dehumidifier, with good all round performance for its size housed in one of the smallest builds on the market – along as you don't expect too much from that 0.3L extraction rate. In our opinion, the Pro Breeze 12L Low Energy Dehumidifier can't beat the MeacoDry Arete One Dehumidifier on performance, nor is its energy use lower than the comparable MeacoDry 12L Arete One. However, it's a popular choice thanks to its lower price tag, and the fact that – unlike the Meaco dehumidifier range – you can regularly find the Pro Breeze 12L reduced further during sale periods. Plus, the MeacoDry Arete One dehumidifier'sSmart Laundrymodeworks brilliantly for drying washing indoors – wet laundry was dry in hours rather than the days it can usually take in the draughty Victorian terrace we tested the unit in. As cleaning expert, Matthew Harrison from Price Your Job explains, if you house suffers from more serious damp issues, then 'to prevent future mould problems, you should consider draught-proofingand other jobs which will prevent moisture from entering your home in the first place'. Do dehumidifiers help to dry clothes?